India's shocking 0-2 defeat 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 defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
