The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press