The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
