The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
