The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
