The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
