The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas 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's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
