The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
