India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
