The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. 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 a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as 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 looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
