India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
