The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
