India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
