India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
