The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
