The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display 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 longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
