India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
