India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition 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 struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
