The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
