The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
