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 inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, 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 secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
