India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
