India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
