India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
