The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
