India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
