The Indian cricket team's shocking 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 Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
