The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
