The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
