The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces 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 take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
