The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
