The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
