The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
