India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
