India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
