India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished 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 marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
