The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of 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 showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
