India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
