The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
