The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
