The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
