The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
