India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
