The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
