The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
