The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
