The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early 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 each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
