India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach 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 seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players 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 South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
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 succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
