The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
