The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
