The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
