India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
