The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
