The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home 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 careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
