India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
