India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
