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, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed 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 - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
