India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India 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 past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
