India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
