The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory 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 winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
