India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
