India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
