India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
