The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece 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 further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
