The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
