The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
