India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
