India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
