The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
