The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
