The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - 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 pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
