The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
