India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
