The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
