India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity 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
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
