The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
