India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, 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 two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
