India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
