The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
