India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
