India's shocking 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 a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
