The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
