The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason 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 unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
