India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
