The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
