The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
