India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, 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 one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
