The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
