The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
