India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
