India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
