The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
