The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
