The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
