India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming 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 fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
