India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
