The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win 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 momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
