India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
