India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph 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 winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
