India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
