The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
