The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
