The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
