The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
