India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players 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 altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
