The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
