India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
