The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
