The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
