India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks 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 anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings 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 multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
