The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
