India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
