The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India 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 season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
