The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
