The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
