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.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
