India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
