The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
