The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
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 effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
