The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
