India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
