India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
