The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
