India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
