The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
