The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
