The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
