India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team 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 Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
