India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
