India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
