The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
