The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished 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 casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
