India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
