India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
