The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat 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, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
