India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
