The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
