The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
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 various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
