India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
