India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
