The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
