India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
