The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
