India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
