The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
