The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
