The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test 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. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
