India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
