The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
