India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
