The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
