India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
