The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
