India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
