India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
