India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
