India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded 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 marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
