India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. 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 decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
