The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
