India's unexpected 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 their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
