India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
