The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
