India's surprising 0-2 loss 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 loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
