The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
