India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
