The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
