The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
