The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, 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 a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
