The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
