The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
