India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
