The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
