India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
