India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
