The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades 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 futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
