The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
