India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
