The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest 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 in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
