The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
