India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
