India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
