The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
