The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
