India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
