The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
