The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
