The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
