India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing 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 went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
