India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen 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 faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
