The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
