The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
