The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
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 recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
