India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
