The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
