India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
