The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
