The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
