The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
