The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
