India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
