The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
