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 their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
