India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
