India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
