India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished 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 ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
