India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing 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 rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
