India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked 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 momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
