The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
