India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
