The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
