The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
