India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
