The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
