The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
