India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
