India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
