The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
