The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
