India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
