India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
