India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
