The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
