The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
