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.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
