India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
