India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
