India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
