India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
