The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
