The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
