The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
