The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
