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 handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
