The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
