The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
