The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
