The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
