The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph 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 unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
