India's surprising 0-2 defeat 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 Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
