The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
