The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, 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 the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
