The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
