India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
