India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
