India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on 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 the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
