The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
