India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
