The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
