The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
