India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home 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 futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing 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 weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
