India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
