The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
