India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
