The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation'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 all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
