The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
