The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
