India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
