The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's 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 winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
