The Indian cricket team's shocking 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 gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was 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 surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
