The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
