India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
