India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
