The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
