India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather 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 the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
