India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
