The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
