The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
