India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, 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 lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
