The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times 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 surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
