The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
