The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
