India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
