The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss 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 defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
