The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press