India's shocking 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 inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
