The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon 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 home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
