The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
