The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
