The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
