The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
