The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
