The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
