The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
