India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much 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 Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
