The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
