India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
