The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
