The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
