India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
