The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players 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 changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
