India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
