The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
