The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
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 aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
