The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail 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 dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
