India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent 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 momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
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 help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
