The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
Maya Chen is a seasoned tech journalist and software developer with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and cybersecurity.
