India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
