India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
