The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
