India's surprising 0-2 defeat 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 loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
