The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
