India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
