The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
