The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
