India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
