India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
