India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
