India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
