The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
