India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
