The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded 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 was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
