The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain 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 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 shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
