The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series 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 Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
