The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
