The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
