India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
