The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
