The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
