The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
