India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
