India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
