India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match 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 - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
