The Indian cricket team'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 inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, 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 ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
