India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test 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 carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
