India's shocking 0-2 series 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, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated 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 latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
