The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
