India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
