India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
