India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
