The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and 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 - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
