The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
