The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
