The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
