India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished 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 marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
