The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure 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 - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
