The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
