The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
