The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
