The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
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 contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
