India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
