The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
