India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
