The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
