India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
