The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
