India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
