India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win 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 invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
