India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R 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 arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
