The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
