The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
