The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
