India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
