India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
