India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
