India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
