The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
