The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
