India's unexpected 0-2 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 Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
