The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
