India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
