The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
