The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
