The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
