The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
