India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
