The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
