India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
