The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
