The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
