The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
