India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
