India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
