The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
