The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
