The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
