India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
