The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
