India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
