India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
