The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
