India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
