India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
