India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
