India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
