India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match 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.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
