India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
