India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
