The Indian cricket team's unexpected 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 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 the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
