India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
