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 inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However 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, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
