The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
