The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
