The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
