India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
