The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
