India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
