The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
