India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
