The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
