The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
