The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
