India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen 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. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
