The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
