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.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
