The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
