India's shocking 0-2 loss 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 loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
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 continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
