India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
