The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
