India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
