The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India 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 positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
