The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
