India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test 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 was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen 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 tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
