The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
