India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
