India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
