The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv 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 Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
