India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
