The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
