The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
