India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
