India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
