The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
