India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
