The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
