The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers 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 spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
