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 gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
