India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
