India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
