The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press