India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
