India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
