The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
