The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
