The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win 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 several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
