The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
