The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press