India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
