India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, 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, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
