India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
