India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
