The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India 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 established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
