The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
