India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
