The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish 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 Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
