The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
