The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
