India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, 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.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
