The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai 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 - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
