The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
