The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
