The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
