The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
