India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
