India's unexpected 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 a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
