India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
