India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
