The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished 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 ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
