India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
