The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
