India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and 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 talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
