The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
