India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, 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 post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
