The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
