India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press