The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
