India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
