India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
