India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
