The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
