India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
