The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
