India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory 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 winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
