The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, 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 the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
