The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
