India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
