India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
