The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
