The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
