The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press