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 a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
