The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
