India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
