The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable 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 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
