India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - 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 the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
