India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
