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.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
