India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
