India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
