The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
