India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
