The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
