India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and 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, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
