India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
