The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
