India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
