The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
