The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
