The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
