The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
