India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
