The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
