India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
