India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. 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 considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
