India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
