India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
