India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press