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, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
