The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
