The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
