India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
