India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
