The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance 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 up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
